Automotive Daily Operations Checklist
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About this daily operations checklist
Daily automotive operations fail in predictable places: bays that are not ready, tools that are out of calibration, parts that are not where they should be, and job cards that drift without a clear owner. This automotive daily operations checklist gives operations teams a practical routine for workshop flow, forecourt controls, and end-of-day reconciliation — so you stop guessing and start knowing.
Use it at the start of the day, during peak periods, and again at close. The aim is simple: fewer delays, less rework, and a site that stays audit-ready without relying on memory or local workarounds.
What this checklist covers
This checklist focuses on the safety-critical, high-friction parts of daily workshop and forecourt discipline:
- Bay readiness and safe setup (lifts, leads, extraction, housekeeping)
- Tool control and calibration status (including torque tools and special tools)
- Hazardous waste handling and environmental controls (segregation, storage, spill readiness)
- Parts availability checks and consumables readiness
- Job card flow and simple quality gates to prevent missed steps
- Customer waiting area basics and forecourt hazard checks
- Vehicle key control to reduce loss, delays, and security risk
- End-of-day reconciliation and handover to stop problems rolling into tomorrow
Who it’s for
It’s written for operations teams running busy automotive sites: service managers, workshop controllers, forecourt leads, and anyone responsible for keeping the day moving safely and smoothly.
How to use it without slowing the team down
A daily checklist only works if it fits real life. Keep it lightweight and consistent:
- Timebox it: aim for 10–15 minutes at open and 5 minutes at close.
- Make exceptions visible: if something is not right, record the containment plan and who owns the fix.
- Use it as a handover: unfinished jobs, parts holds, and key exceptions should be crystal clear.
- Track repeat issues: recurring tool, parts, or process failures are telling you where the system is weak.
What good looks like
When this routine is working, you can answer these questions instantly:
- Which bays are ready, and which are blocked (and why)?
- Are calibration-critical tools in date today?
- Which jobs are at risk due to parts, authorisation, or missing information?
- Where are the keys, and who has them?
- What must be handed over so tomorrow starts clean?
Stop guessing. Start knowing.
Frontline operations run on moments — the first lift of the day, the first parts pick, the first customer delay. Put knowledge into those moments and you reduce waste without adding bureaucracy.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, health and safety, or professional advice. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws, standards, and internal policies.
Included questions
Here's what's included in this daily operations checklist:
Start of day essentials (3)
Get the workshop and forecourt ready before the first job starts — so no one is guessing what’s working, what’s missing, or what’s urgent.
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Yes/No
Opening time and staffing confirmed for today
Confirm planned start time, key roles covered, and any absences recorded with a cover plan.
-
Yes/No
Daily safety brief completed
Cover hazards for the day (e.g. lifts, moving vehicles, chemicals), any incidents from yesterday, and controls in place.
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Yes/No
Workshop ventilation and temperature are acceptable
Check extraction is working where required and the environment is safe and comfortable for the team.
Bay readiness and equipment checks (5)
Make each bay ready to work safely and consistently, with the right equipment in the right place.
-
Yes/No
Bays are clean, clear, and correctly signed
No trip hazards, spills, or blocked walkways. Bay signage and job status boards are visible and up to date.
-
Yes/No
Vehicle lifts daily checks completed
Confirm pre-use checks are done and recorded. Escalate and tag out any lift with defects.
-
Yes/No
Compressed air lines, power leads, and reels are safe and serviceable
No visible damage, safe routing, and reels retract correctly. Remove and report anything unsafe.
-
Yes/No
Tyre and wheel equipment is ready and safe to use
Check tyre inflators, wheel balancer, and tyre changer are functioning and the area is tidy.
-
Yes/No
Diagnostic tools are available, updated, and charged
Confirm scan tools, tablets/laptops, and chargers are present and ready. Note any missing kit.
Tool control and calibration (3)
Stop rework and compliance risk by knowing which tools are in-date, available, and fit for purpose.
-
Yes/No
Torque wrenches are in-date and logged
Check calibration status labels and the register. Remove from use if out of date or damaged.
-
Dropdown
Any calibration items overdue today
If yes, record what’s affected and the containment plan (e.g. substitute tool, stop job, escalate).
-
Yes/No
Special tools are present and controlled
Confirm location, sign-out process, and any tools booked for planned jobs today.
Hazardous waste and environmental controls (4)
Daily discipline on waste handling reduces safety risk, avoids fines, and keeps the site audit-ready.
-
Yes/No
Spill kits are present, stocked, and accessible
Check key locations (workshop floor, waste area, forecourt where relevant). Replace used items.
-
Yes/No
Waste streams are segregated and labelled
Oil, filters, rags, batteries, tyres, coolant, brake fluid, and aerosols stored correctly with clear labels.
-
Yes/No
Waste containers are not overfilled and lids are secure
Check bunding and containment. Arrange uplift if approaching capacity.
-
Yes/No
Hazardous waste area is secure and tidy
Access controlled, no leaks, no loose items, and paperwork available if required.
Parts availability and job planning (4)
Make sure the parts and information are ready before vehicles are stripped — fewer delays, fewer repeat visits.
-
Yes/No
Today’s job list reviewed and prioritised
Confirm planned work, promised times, and any high-risk jobs (e.g. diagnostics, warranty, safety-related repairs).
-
Yes/No
Parts for the first wave of jobs are confirmed on site
Check parts picked and staged for early bookings to prevent immediate delays.
-
Dropdown
Any parts shortages or backorders affecting today
If yes, log impacted job cards and customer plan (rebook, alternative part, escalation).
-
Yes/No
Consumables stock is sufficient for today
Check key consumables (oil, screenwash, brake cleaner, gloves, wipes, fasteners) and reorder triggers.
Job card flow and quality gates (4)
A simple job card routine prevents missed work, missing authorisations, and end-of-day surprises.
-
Yes/No
Job cards are complete before work starts
Vehicle details, customer concerns, authorisations, and required checks recorded clearly.
-
Yes/No
Authorisation rules are understood and followed
Confirm who can approve additional work and how approvals are recorded.
-
Yes/No
Road test and quality check steps are defined for relevant jobs
Confirm when a road test is required and who signs off the final QC.
-
Yes/No
Job status board is updated and used
Clear visibility of waiting, in progress, parts hold, QC, and ready for collection.
Forecourt and customer waiting area checks (3)
Small details shape trust. These checks keep the customer experience consistent while the workshop stays focused.
-
Yes/No
Customer waiting area is clean and stocked
Seating clean, bins emptied, refreshments (if provided) replenished, and toilets checked where applicable.
-
Yes/No
Customer update process confirmed for the day
Who calls, when updates happen, and how delays are communicated and recorded.
-
Yes/No
Forecourt hazards checked and controlled
Clear walkways, safe vehicle movement, and any spills or debris removed promptly.
Vehicle key control and security (3)
Keys are a daily risk point. A tight routine prevents loss, delays, and security incidents.
-
Yes/No
Key cabinet is secure and access is controlled
Confirm cabinet/locker is locked, access list is current, and any exceptions are recorded.
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Yes/No
Key sign-out process is in use for every movement
Keys are signed out to a person, with vehicle reg/stock number and time recorded.
-
Dropdown
Spare keys and high-value vehicle keys accounted for
Use this as a quick confidence check early in the day.
End of day reconciliation (5)
Close cleanly, reconcile the day, and set up tomorrow — so issues don’t roll over unnoticed.
-
Yes/No
Unfinished jobs are clearly handed over
Each job has a status, next action, parts position, and customer update plan recorded.
-
Dropdown
All job cards are closed or have a recorded reason
Avoid ‘ghost jobs’ that create rework, billing issues, or missed customer promises.
-
Yes/No
Keys reconciled and secured
Confirm all keys returned, exceptions logged, and cabinet locked.
-
Yes/No
Waste area checked and left compliant
No overfilled containers, lids closed, spills addressed, and uplift requests raised if needed.
-
Text
Issues, actions, and escalations logged
Capture what went wrong today, what was done, and what needs follow-up tomorrow (include owners).